Wristwatch Review: Pulsar PS9319 Diver-style Dress Watch

For Christmas 2014, my wife got me this nice Pulsar diver-style watch.  It's model PS9319 and she purchased it at Kohl's.  It was originally marked at $145, but with Kohl's sale price + a 30% off coupon + a $10 off coupon for watches over $50, the price came way, way, down to just over $60.

Pulsar PS9319 Diver-style Dress Watch

It's a well proportioned watch with nice readable markers and a panoramic date window that I don't need to squint to read.  The watch has a curved mineral crystal, a sunburst dial, and a brilliant blue dial color.  The case and bracelet are stainless steel and the watch is water resistant to 100 meters.  That's a lot to like about a reasonably priced watch from the Seiko family of watch companies.  The only downside to this watch is that it has a non-rotating bezel.  That could result in some burned pizzas.  On the plus side, the bezel can never be knocked askew and will always look great!

Initially, this Pulsar Men's PS9319 Analog Display Japanese Quartz Silver Watch was a little too large.  But, I removed a link using the Android watch repair kit that I won in a contest sponsored by my friends over at ZuluTimeZone.com.  With one link removed, the watch fits perfectly.

The watch has a 45 mm diameter case that is 11.65 mm thick.  That makes the watch just the right size for the office without being too heavy or too big.  The bracelet and case have an alternating high gloss shine and satin finish motif that makes the watch dressy enough for an office and rugged enough for casual wear.

Overall, I like this watch very much.  This Pulsar comes in with great looks, perfect proportions, and a very wearable weight.

Pulsar PS9319 Diver-style Dress Watch

Watch Shopping Before Christmas

It's Friday night before Christmas at my local mall.  The energy of the holiday shopping crowd is palpable.  Watch stores and kiosks abound.  But, I'm not shopping.  Many watches at Sears are 25% off.  But, I need to buy some tires soon.  Tonight, I'm just an observer.  Unfortunately, the watch stores nearby seem pretty empty to me.

A Watch Retailer at My Local Mall

Why?  Well, for starters, they've tucked the price tags under the watches.  They seem to teach this is Jewelry Merchandising 101.  Thus, you as a customer have to talk to someone before you even know how much your potential purchase might be.  When you finally can see a price, it's likely to be higher than the prices offered on the Internet.  Finally, many of the watches aren't really my style.

If they wanted to lure me in, they'd have prices clearly marked and promotional displays with watches for $50, $75, and $100.  They'd also have a sign promoting certain brands starting at $200.  That would give me a clear indication of where potential gifts would lie in my gift giving budget.  Plus, I don't really want to talk to anyone until I'm hooked on a potential purchase.

Gift Ideas: Watches for Gamblers

Do you or does someone on your gift list enjoy the glitz and glamour of the casino?  A sharp suit, highly polished shoes, cuff links that dazzle, and an incredible watch complete the mental image of a sharp dressed high roller.

Fastest Hands Steve Dacri - Photo By Pattymooney (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

The bright lights of Vegas beckon everyone to the world of wrist watches!

Vegas Strip By Nandaro (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

For those who close their eyes and imagine the click of a roulette wheel, check out this Invicta Roulette Wheel watch. If any watch company brings the bling to town, it's Invicta. It puts all the glamour of Vegas on right on the wrist.

Invicta Roulette Wheel Watch

Gift Ideas: Movado Luxury Watches for Women

If anyone deserves a beautiful gift for the holidays or an anniversary, it is your wife. She deserves a watch that is both a beautiful piece of jewelry and a wonderfully functional timepiece. Founded in 1881, Movado is one of those brands that stands the test of time.


Movado is best known for modernist designs highlighted by their famous "Museum Dial"--a minimalist dial with a large bright dot at 12 o'clock. When it comes to women's watches, staying simple and elegant while adding a layer of luxury can be a design challenge. But, Movado designers met it well with their Concerto watch for women.  The Movado Women's 0606421 "Concerto" Diamond-Accented Stainless Steel Watch features a mother of pearl dial museum dial ringed with a galaxy of diamonds.

Five Watches for the Super Rich

Watches for Lottery Winners 

[This article is reprinted from my articles published the now defunct Yahoo Contributors Network.  However, it is still fun to dream.  The watches are still out there to add to your collection.  They are all just a lottery ticket away.]


Watch making is an art. It reaches it's pinnacle in watches for the world's wealthiest people. If I were one of those people, here are five watches that would definitely be on my shopping list.

Every week the Megamillions and Powerball lotteries get bigger and bigger. When they do, they give everyone something to dream about. If I were to win a big lottery or become super wealthy, here are five watches for the super rich that would join my watch collection:

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver. As a man of wealth and means, I would enjoy yachting again. Of course, I'd have to step up from the 19-foot Flying Scot sail boat of my youth. I'd have to buy a much larger yacht with steeped in teak and tradition. I'd also need a watch to go with it. For yachting, I'd have to go with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver. According to Audemars Piguet, the Offshore Diver is made of exotic materials including "black ceramic case, glareproofed sapphire crystal, titanium glareproofed sapphire crystal caseback, black ceramic bezel and crowns, titanium links." I wouldn't have to worry about the $30,000 to $50,000 price tags these watches carry on Amazon. I'd probably visit a jeweler in person. I like the octagonal bezel that evokes the looks of a nautical portal.


Breitling Bentley GT Watch. Of course, if I were super rich, I wouldn't spend every waking moment on the yacht. I'd have to drive around some too. Thus, I'd need a watch to go with my car. That would leave me with no choice but to buy a Breitling for Bentley watch. To match my ride, I'd choose the Breitling Bentley GT. A certified chronometer, the Bentley GT watch features a Breitling 13B automatic movement, three subdials, and the unmistakable silhouette of the Bentley GT on the case back. It's a steal at just under $5000 on jomashop.com. For now, I'll just keep looking for a Toyota Highlander watch.


Constantin Vacheron. One can't join the ranks of the super-rich and not wear a suit from time to time. I'd at least have to don a sport jacket to sit with my skybox friends for big sporting events. For those formal occasions, the perfect dress watch would be the Constantin Vacheron Patrimony Traditionelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. According to Constantin Vacheron, this 43mm diameter watch has a manually wound Caliber 1141QP movement with a 48 hour power reserve. But, the workmanship and materials make this watch amazing. There is something special about the rich rose gold case, the fine alligator strap, and the sun and moon perpetually chasing each other on a subdial. Plus, at only $133,645 on PrestigeTime.com, it's a bargain. When a company has been making fine watches since 1755, they must be doing something right. A simpler Constantin Vacheron watch is shown below:


Ulysse-Nardin Maxi Marine Chronograph. I really like the clean look and blue and black dial of this yachtsman's watch. The Ulysse-Nardin anchor symbol on the dial and blue rubber and stainless band look great and evoke the sea. According to Ulysse-Nardin, the watch is water resistant to 200 meters and has screwdown crown and pusher. For less than $7500 on ZuluTimeZone.com, I'd probably just send away for it and pay with the change in my PayPal account.


RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon. Of course, being super-rich doesn't mean you stop being patriotic. I like watches that are made in America and one of the finest is the RGM Watch Companies Pennsylvania Tourbillon MM2. It has a movement that is made in the United States of America. That's a tremendous accomplishment for a small watch company. Plus, the watch is simply a stunning handmade work of art. Pictures on the RGM website reveal an exhibition side window on the case as well as an exhibition case back. Starting at $95,000 at RGMwatches.com, it is a truly awesome watch that should make the watchmakers of Europe a little nervous.

When I look at these watches only one question remains: Is it too late to buy a lottery ticket today? If I were a rich man, I know exactly which watches I would buy!

Sources:
Amazon.com
Jomashop.com
PrestigeTime.com
RGMwatches.com
Ulysse-Nardin.com
Vacheron-Constantin.com
ZuluTimeZone.com

A Guide to Ultra Thin Wristwatches for Men

The Quest for the Thinnest Wristwatch

[This article is reprinted in a slightly updated form from my contributions to the now defunct Yahoo Contributors Network.  If you are looking to get or give a sleek thin wristwatch, this Christmas, this guide may still come in handy.]

If you believe the shopping channel watch shows, you'll see that men's wristwatches are growing larger and larger. Some men's watches are up to an inch thick. But, here's a watch making secret: thick watches are easy to make. Thin wristwatches are more challenging to make. I enjoy thin wristwatches like my Grenen Men's Stainless Steel Mesh Watch. It's thin, light, and a joy to wear all day. If you want a watch that is comfortable, practical, and fits under the cuff of your shirt, join me on the quest for the thinnest watch.

Grenen Men's Stainless Steel Mesh Watch

Thin Swiss Mechanical Watches. Our first stop is La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland, the birthplace of Piaget. In 1874, Piaget got its start making watch movements. In 1943, they became a full-fledged brand and in 1945 they built a factory that became world renowned for making thin watch movements. In 1957, Piaget introduced the Caliber 9P - a hand-wound mechanical movement that was only 2 millimeters thick. In 1968, Piaget followed up with the Caliber 12P which remains the world's thinnest self-winding watch movement at 2.3 millimeters thick. Since then Piaget has made many sophisticated and very thin movements. Today, Piaget makes premium Swiss watches and fine jewelry. They also make the world's thinnest mechanical wristwatches. For example, the thinnest Piaget is the Piaget Altiplano 43 Automatic watch which has a case that is only 5.25 millimeters thick. Unfortunately, such rare watches have high price tags. The base Piaget Altiplano 43 costs about $19,000. If you want the 43 millimeter Piaget Altiplano in white gold, with the dial surrounded by 88 brilliant-cut diamonds, it will run nearly $30,000.

Thin Quartz Watches. At that price, everyone get back on the jet. Our second stop is the Amazon. No, not the exotic anaconda and piranha-filled Amazon of South America. We're stopping at the watch-filled Amazon: Amazon.com. If we want an ultra thin and affordable watch, the Skagen Men's SKW6068 Havene Quartz 3 Hand Stainless Steel Silver Watch has a case that is 6.5 millimeters thick.  It's thin and has a mesh band. But, it's almost a little too dressy for my taste.

To find a more traditional watch with Roman Numerals, check out the Steinhausen Men's TW493G Dunn Horitzon Thin Swiss Quartz Gold Watch is only 5.5 millimeters thick according to Amazon.com. In a silver finish, the Steinhausen is available for a little less.

Finally, if we pop over to overstock.com, we can find the very traditional Stuhrling Original Men's Black 'Belmont' Ultra Slim Watch for $59.05. It has a 6 millimeter case.

Thin Watches in Local Markets. Of course, I have quite a few watches already. Most of my watches come from affordable sources like Kohl's, Sears, Walmart, and Kmart. So before I buy anything exotic, I'd better grab a ruler and check my own watch collection. I found a great watch called the Hamlin Ultra Thin Dress Watch at Sears and it has a case around 7 millimeters thick. My Grenen watch with a stainless steel mesh band looks great in black, has a stainless steel mesh band, and has a case that is similarly only 7 millimeters thick. It's bigger brother, the Grenen Men's Analog Watch with Subdials has a case that appears to be between 7 and 8 millimeters thick. Since Grenen watches are designed by Skagen and are widely available at Kohl's, I don't need to order a watch today. For less than $100, perfectly comfortable thin watches with cases that are only a quarter inch thick were just around the corner the whole time!

Hamlin Ultra Thin Dress Watch

Sources:

Amazon.com
Overstock.com
Piaget Official Website
"Piaget Altiplano 43 Automatic Wristwatch Hands-On," Ariel Adams. Ablogtoread.com
"Piaget Altiplano Skeleton Ultra-Thin Automatic Watch," Ariel Adams. Ablogtoread.com
WatchTime Buyer's Guide 2012, WatchTime Magazine. Special Edition 2012.

Timex Watches at Walmart: Timex Expedition (Model T49908)

Late at night, it can be fun to peruse the watch counters at Walmart.  It gives me a chance to peruse the watches that are available at affordable prices.  Lately, I've been intrigued by the Timex offering at the big discount store.  For example, some of the Timex Expedition watches pictured below sell for far higher prices at other brick and mortar retailers.

The watch on the far right is intriguing because it reminds me of my AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch.  However, without the fighter plane motif and insignia, it's not nearly as cool.  The Timex Expedition on the far left looks much like my Timex Vintage Metal.  It's a birthday gift watch that my wife paid $54 for at Belk.

Premium Timex Watches at Walmart

Of the watches pictured, I am most interested in the second watch from the left.  It's Timex Expedition (Model T49908) and it features a simulated wood grain dial.  The band is leather. 

Timex Expedition (Model T49908)

This Timex Expedition provides a natural look at an affordable price.  I often find good watches at Walmart on clearance or within the realm of an impulse purchase.  Of course, this Timex is available at the best price here on Amazon.

Stuhrling Original Concorso Raceway Watch - Affordable Exotic

A Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Alternative

If you feel the need for speed, there is no greater watch than the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. It's a fantastic watch that sets the standard for fine Swiss-made chronographs. It goes well with all manner of sporting marques from Aston Martin to Lamborghini.

 By Axion23 (Porsche 917 Racecar) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsAdd caption

Unfortunately, the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph isn't a watch that everyone can afford. Good taste doesn't always come with the requisite income.  Luxury brands like Rolex make things worse by pricing themselves far above the modest means of common folks.  They are an exclusive brand. 

Yet, we can dream.  Fortunately, companies like Stuhrling Original can help us make those dreams come true with watches that allow us to show off our good taste and fashion sense.  Speed and taste aren't just for the rich anymore!

By Andrew Basterfield (Lada rally car) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you like the classic looks of a Rolex Daytona, check out the Stuhrling Original Concorso Raceway watches. These watches have the looks and lines of the Rolex Daytona at a fraction of the price.

Sturhling Original Concorso Raceway

Watch Sighting: Movado Vizio Stainless Steel Watch

A couple of weeks ago, a co-worker wore an interesting stainless steel Movado watch.  It had the signature dot at 12 o'clock, but it also had multi-function dials. It's a sensibly sized watch with a 44.5 millimeter diameter case that is 9.5 millimeters thick. The stainless steel band is a manly 22 millimeters wide.


When it comes to Movado, I prefer the simpler "museum watch" designs. However, this Movado Vizio watch definitely catches the eye.